What a GREAT 4th of July!!! We had SUCH a good time aboard our trawler. We are still on the boat as I type this and have been here since Thursday which has been really fun. The new aft head installation has been great and makes the boat much more comfortable. Speaking of comfort, I finally got our new bimini top for the flybridge and installed it before the weekend. I had gotten quotes from a local firm to build a custom top for $1,500 which included fixing the bent frame. We fixed the frame with the help of a dock neighbor and ended up calling Overton's and ordered a new Sunbrella bimini that is not available online for a total cost of about $400-$450 which included the frame repair. Talk about a cost savings. Our comfort level has gone WAY up since we got the new bimini as we can sit in the shade at the flybridge helm which is nothing short of fabulous.
Here is a shot of the new top as we were are underway:
The kids have developed a new favorite boating activity which is sort of like tubing but behind the trawler. :) Basically- we either tow the tender or the kayak and let them ride in it (when it is not busy of course). To say the kids enjoy it would be huge understatement. We usually only do it when we are coming to or from the local cove we anchor in just around the bend from the marina:
Saturday we took some time out to go see the Chattanooga Aquarium and bought a family membership. Cost for a family of 4 to attend one day is about $80+ but you can get an annual pass good for the entire family for only $115 so in less tan 2 visits you pay have done better than breaking even. I made a friend while I was there:
Rest of the weekend we just played around the local waters and anchored out. Monday night, the 4th were the big fireworks on the water. We anchored out at about 5 p.m. which was later than we planned as a big rain storm rolled through in the afternoon. No sooner had we anchored out though then the crowds started showing up. Here is Sarah checking things out after we had set anchor:
You can tell how tired he (and Sarah) are from days on the boat swimming and playing from dawn til past dark:
Sun starting to go down and more boats anchoring. We ended up being pretty much in the perfect spot directly across from the fireworks:
The neighbors across the cove decided they would put on their own little show which made for a good picture:
The show was truly amazing. It is done by a private individual that lives on the lake and not a municipal show. Thus, the height of the fireworks was slightly less than a "real" show but I kid you not, it was probably the best fireworks show I've ever seen. It went on for right at an hour and a half and it was non stop. It was basically as intense as having an hour and a half grand finale. The pictures don't do it justice at all but it was a great, great show and professionally done and never a pause the entire time.
Here is a short video of the fireworks taken from my iPhone:
Tuesday we went back to the aquarium for another fun day to see the butterfly house and saltwater fish. As well, we went to go see the Imax movie, "Born to Be Wild" in 3D. The kids loved it. I have an app on my iphone camera that lets you take funny pictures that the kids simply love. So we passed our few moments in line by taking some fun pictures with their huge 3D glasses on:
All in all, a great week on the boat (yes, we've been on the boat for a solid week!). We were contemplating cruising up to Lake Telico this week but forecast is very hot and 50% chance rain every day so we are going to hold off for better whether. Home to Atlanta today it looks like then back up this weekend. "Living Light" is quickly becoming our home away from home on the water.
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